Honor has got a lot right with the 200 Pro, despite it being much cheaper than the Magic 6 Pro. But two clear compromises will put off potential buyers
Chinese tech company Honor is making a name for itself in Europe.
A string of high-profile launches in the continent has established it as a go-to brand for high-end smartphones, with the Magic 6 Pro its best effort yet.
However, what if you don’t want to spend four figures on a device but still want a top-tier experience?
That’s where the Honor 200 Pro comes in. It’s significantly cheaper than the Magic 6 Pro, but doesn’t look to be much of a downgrade on paper. However, after a week of using it as my main phone, some potential dealbreakers have emerged.Design & Build
Premium, glass-backed build
Unusual rear design
IP65 water and dust resistance
Aesthetically, the Honor 200 Pro looks very different to the Magic 6 Pro, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Instead of a huge camera module dominating the back of the phone, the 200 Pro’s oval-shaped housing isn’t quite as imposing.
It’s still far from subtle, though. Honor wants the design of the 200 Pro to leave you in no doubt that camera performance is a top priority. I just wish it didn’t accumulate fingerprint smudges so easily, something the rest of the back of the phone manages to avoid.
While still glass, the two-tone matt coating shimmers attractively as it catches the light. The colour I’ve tested has been dubbed ‘Ocean Cyan’, which explains why the pattern on most of the phone appears to imitate waves.
Personally, I really like the way it looks, though black and white models are also available if you’d rather have something more muted.
Regardless of the model you choose, there isn’t much grip, so be careful when it’s in your pocket or on a table. A solution to this is the clear silicone case provided in the box, but you lose the premium look and feel.
It’s a shame, as the phone feels relatively tough and durable without a case, despite missing out on the Magic 6 Pro’s tough ‘NanoCrystal Shield’ glass at the front.
The one exception is its water and dust resistance, with the IP65 rating meaning it’s only rated to survive low-pressure jets of water, rather than the submersion (up to 1.5m for up 30 mins) afforded by IP68. It’s a clear step down.
Another thing that’s down is the weight, though this is a welcome change. At 199g, it’s noticeably lighter than the Magic 6 Pro (224g), but also most flagships with a screen as large as the 6.78-inch panel here. It certainly doesn’t weigh down your pocket or bag to the same extent.
The front of the phone looks entirely unremarkable, though the two sensors at the top of the display hint at what they’re capable of.
Physical buttons on the aluminium sides are clicky and responsive, while a decent vibration motor ensures the virtual equivalents feel impressively realistic. A little bit of haptic feedback goes a long way.
And at the bottom, you get the usual USB-C port, as is shown below.Screen & Speakers
6.78-inch Full HD+ OLED
120Hz, but no LTPO
Dual stereo speakers
Honor knows how to make a great display, and that’s no different on the 200 Pro.
It’s a 6.7-inch OLED panel, complete with a generous 2700 x 1224 (Full HD+) resolution that makes content look clear and crisp. And as is usually the case with OLED, you can expect rich, vibrant colours and deep blacks.
You also get a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, albeit without the LTPO tech that would allow it to automatically adjust down to 1Hz (when not required) to save battery life. Instead, you can choose between 60-, 120Hz or a ‘Dynamic’ mode that switches between them. You also have the option to choose which apps get access to the high refresh rate, which is a nice touch.
Importantly, I also had no issue with outdoor visibility, even on a bright sunny day. The Honor 200 Pro reached 544 nits in my testing, which is above average.
While there’s been a recent trend towards flat phone displays, Honor continues to opt for a curved version. It makes the phone more comfortable to hold and use one-handed, so I prefer it, though this won’t be to everyone’s tastes.
However, I would recommend removing the pre-applied screen protector, which affected the smoothness of scrolling and felt cheap.
Like the Magic 6 Pro, the Honor 200 Pro has an in-display fingerprint sensor. Everything I said about it there still applies here: a smaller target area than I’d like, but faster and more reliable than most I’ve tested.
However, unlike that handset, the 200 Pro misses out on the 3D Time-of-Flight sensor for Face ID-style unlocking and authentication. Instead, you’ll have to make do with the same basic version we see on almost all Android phones, which I wouldn’t recommend.
In terms of audio, you get stereo speakers, with the usual combination of one main speaker and earpiece. The sound produced is impressively punchy, with a ‘200% high volume mode’ avoiding audible distortions despite getting very loud.
